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Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:35 pm
by Ravenfreak
I watched a couple videos earlier uploaded by Dark Exploration Films where he visited a few small ghost towns in southern Illinois and Southern Missouri. Both towns are only about an 1 and a half away from where I live. It was cool to see all the old buildings and stuff still left behind in them. The town in Missouri was Richwoods and the one in Illinois is called Swanwick. It makes me want to go out and check them out too at some point! Have you ever traveled to any ghost towns before?
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:25 pm
by HikerShawn
Where were the ghost towns in Southern Illinois? That's where I live
I like visiting them when I find them. There are a few along a bike trail that I frequently ride. Nothing much is left. We find old settlements when we're hiking all the time. Old foundations, wells, and junk.
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:23 pm
by Ravenfreak
HikerShawn wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:25 pm
Where were the ghost towns in Southern Illinois? That's where I live
I like visiting them when I find them. There are a few along a bike trail that I frequently ride. Nothing much is left. We find old settlements when we're hiking all the time. Old foundations, wells, and junk.
Swanwick IL is where Devon traveled to. There's a few people still living there just not too many people lol. I'll have to see what other towns are near by. Swanwick isn't far from me either, you probably live a bit closer to it than I do since I live in Missouri. I would love to visit where Times Beach near St. Louis used to be, it's not really a ghost town because the city has been demolished for decades but it would still be cool to visit a place where there used to be a town once standing.
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:52 am
by Demon_skeith
I've been through a few small towns on my travel, I feel like in a few years they will be no longer used.
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2025 12:53 pm
by HikerShawn
Ravenfreak wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:23 pm
HikerShawn wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:25 pm
Where were the ghost towns in Southern Illinois? That's where I live
I like visiting them when I find them. There are a few along a bike trail that I frequently ride. Nothing much is left. We find old settlements when we're hiking all the time. Old foundations, wells, and junk.
Swanwick IL is where Devon traveled to. There's a few people still living there just not too many people lol. I'll have to see what other towns are near by. Swanwick isn't far from me either, you probably live a bit closer to it than I do since I live in Missouri. I would love to visit where Times Beach near St. Louis used to be, it's not really a ghost town because the city has been demolished for decades but it would still be cool to visit a place where there used to be a town once standing.
Okay, I think up by Marissa and Steelville area.
I'm all the way down in Metropolis. Superman City. Right across from Paducah, Kentucky.
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2025 10:40 pm
by Ravenfreak
HikerShawn wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 12:53 pm
Ravenfreak wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:23 pm
HikerShawn wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:25 pm
Where were the ghost towns in Southern Illinois? That's where I live
I like visiting them when I find them. There are a few along a bike trail that I frequently ride. Nothing much is left. We find old settlements when we're hiking all the time. Old foundations, wells, and junk.
Swanwick IL is where Devon traveled to. There's a few people still living there just not too many people lol. I'll have to see what other towns are near by. Swanwick isn't far from me either, you probably live a bit closer to it than I do since I live in Missouri. I would love to visit where Times Beach near St. Louis used to be, it's not really a ghost town because the city has been demolished for decades but it would still be cool to visit a place where there used to be a town once standing.
Okay, I think up by Marissa and Steelville area.
I'm all the way down in Metropolis. Superman City. Right across from Paducah, Kentucky.
My wife and I drove through there early this year to get to Atlanta, Georgia! I would love to go back down there and stop at Metropolis.
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2025 2:16 am
by HikerShawn
Ravenfreak wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 10:40 pm
HikerShawn wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 12:53 pm
Ravenfreak wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:23 pm
Swanwick IL is where Devon traveled to. There's a few people still living there just not too many people lol. I'll have to see what other towns are near by. Swanwick isn't far from me either, you probably live a bit closer to it than I do since I live in Missouri. I would love to visit where Times Beach near St. Louis used to be, it's not really a ghost town because the city has been demolished for decades but it would still be cool to visit a place where there used to be a town once standing.
Okay, I think up by Marissa and Steelville area.
I'm all the way down in Metropolis. Superman City. Right across from Paducah, Kentucky.
My wife and I drove through there early this year to get to Atlanta, Georgia! I would love to go back down there and stop at Metropolis.
It's a fun little town. Stop by the Superman Museum and Statue. Munel's has great donuts. Sissy's sweetshop as well. Great pizza at Super City bar and grill.
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2025 10:57 pm
by Ravenfreak
Demon_skeith wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:52 am
I've been through a few small towns on my travel, I feel like in a few years they will be no longer used.
Yeah it's sad, eventually the people that live in these towns will either move away or pass away and the town will become completely empty. I think that's why people should try and document the town to prove that they once thrived.
Re: Traveling to Ghost Towns
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 6:33 pm
by HikerShawn
Ravenfreak wrote: Thu Oct 23, 2025 10:57 pm
Demon_skeith wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:52 am
I've been through a few small towns on my travel, I feel like in a few years they will be no longer used.
Yeah it's sad, eventually the people that live in these towns will either move away or pass away and the town will become completely empty. I think that's why people should try and document the town to prove that they once thrived.
It likely gets too expensive to stick around.
Most ghost towns are ghost towns because industry left. Now you have to drive a lot farther to get a decent job. That is a big turn off for most people.